WCI allowed to build more houses in Parkland

Developer used Chinese drywall in about 100 homes in earlier project

PARKLAND — A reluctant City Commission voted Thursday night to allow WCI Communities, the developer that once used Chinese drywall in its homes, to build more houses in Heron Bay.

The decision came despite opposition from homeowners who bought some of the approximately 100 homes WCI built with the toxic drywall. Those residents, who were forced to sell at a loss or became sick, had urged the commission to deny WCI approval to build 196 homes in Parkland.

The Bonita Springs-based company, which later entered into bankruptcy, discharged its debts related to the drywall, a bankruptcy judge ruled. Under that order, city officials could not consider WCI's history with the drywall in deciding whether it should be allowed further construction. The company threatened to sue if they did.

Commissioners hired a bankruptcy lawyer to review the judge's ruling, and the lawyer warned that the city, and its officials, could be liable if WCI was denied the new construction because of the drywall.

"Our hands were completely tied. We had to do this by law," Mayor Michael Udine said of the approval for the new homes.

The vote was 3 to 1, with Commissioner Jared Moskowitz voting no. Commissioner Mark Weissman was absent. Under the conditions of the approval, WCI must designate a quality control person for the new development and extend its warranty on new homes from one to two years.

Udine voiced sympathy for the residents affected by the drywall. "I'm in agreement with how they feel," he said. Officials will monitor the new construction, he added. "The city is going to be watching them closely," he said.

John Willis, who organized the opposition, acknowledged the commission's tough position. "Quite frankly, the City Commission did all they could do," he said. "It's pretty difficult for them to make any other decision."